Loneliness and substance use
Loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased substance use. Continue scrolling to read key resources on the relationship between loneliness and substance use.
Ingram et al. (2020)
Loneliness among people with substance use problems: A narrative systematic review
Systematic Review
Primary finding: From 41studies, the authors conclude that Loneliness is prevalent and experienced as problematic among people with substance use problems. Future research should focus on employing longitudinal designs, using validated, multidimensional measures of loneliness and on developing and trialling loneliness interventions that meet the specific needs of people with substance use problems.
Dyal et al. (2015)
A Systematic Review of Loneliness and Smoking: Small Effects, Big Implications
Systematic Review
Primary finding: From 25 studies, the authors conclude that loneliness and smoking are likely associated, however, half of the studies reviewed did not report significant associations. Studies conducted with larger sample sizes, such as those that used nationally representative samples, were more likely to have statistically significant findings. Future studies should focus on using large, longitudinal cohorts, using measures that capture different aspects of loneliness and smoking, and exploring mediators and moderators of the association between loneliness and smoking.